6 months check up

Your kitten's 6 month check-up

At six months, it is advisable to make a vet's appointment for your kitten so that he or she can give her a thorough health-check. Your vet will want to make sure your kitten is on track with her development and growth, so will check her weight and provide a general health assessment.

Calm kitten

If your kitten has been used to travelling in her pet carrier, she should be happy to hop in. A cosy blanket and a favourite toy will help settle her. If she seems particularly agitated, a squirt of special calming pheromone spray in her carrier can work wonders too.

By now, grooming and playing with your kitten will have encouraged your kitten to enjoy being handled, but take along some tasty treats to encourage her to behave at the vet's. This will reassure her and help her learn that a trip to the vet can be a positive experience.

What to expect

Your vet will weigh your kitten to ensure she is growing at the correct rate and advise you if any changes to her feeding amounts is required. During the check your vet will look carefully at your kitten's eyes, ears, paws and teeth. By this age your kitten's adult teeth should be coming through. Her baby teeth will usually fall out naturally to make room, but if this is not the case your vet will make a recommendation on what needs to be done. Your vet will also check with you what de-worming and flea control regime you have in place, and will recommend any future treatments that might be necessary.

Feel free to ask questions

The 6 month check-up is a great opportunity to ask your vet any burning questions you might have. You could talk to him or her about neutering, as 6 months is just the right age for the operation. Neutering is one of the best things you can do for your kittens health. If you have a male kitten any territorial habits should disappear once he has been neutered, such as spraying. He'll also be less likely to roam or fight with other cats. In female cats neutering helps reduce the risk of womb infections and mammary tumours.

Something else that you might consider is microchipping. This tiny, invisible device is easy to fit and will give you the peace of mind that she will be easy to find if she gets lost.

Pet insurance

If you haven't already, now's a good time to consider pet insurance. It can be reassuring to know you're covered for any health problems your cat might have in the future. Just make sure you read the small print before you buy, and check it's the right policy for you.